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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: toast · stand · lash · rush · key · deal · wave · bank

  1. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  2. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  3. That must've been a ________________.
  4. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  5. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  6. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  7. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  8. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  9. This piece is in a major ________________.
  10. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  11. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  12. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  13. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  14. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  15. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  16. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  17. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  18. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  19. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  20. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  21. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  22. I can't ________________ this cold.
  23. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  24. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. lash — an eyelash
  2. deal — a big deal
  3. rush — a thrill
  4. rush — hurry
  5. toast — the most admired
  6. stand — for spectators
  7. toast — a drink to someone
  8. wave — of the sea
  9. key — in music
  10. rush — to hurry
  11. bank — for money
  12. stand — on your feet
  13. wave — a sudden rise
  14. lash — a whip stroke
  15. bank — of a river
  16. toast — bread
  17. lash — to lash out
  18. bank — for money
  19. key — for a lock
  20. deal — to handle
  21. wave — with your hand
  22. stand — to bear
  23. key — the most important part
  24. deal — an agreement

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com